*For the complete list of the New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks, visit our Road Closure Press Release. 

On Wednesday, December 31, Philadelphia 2026 and Mayor Cherelle Parker present a free New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks display to usher in America’s Birthday in America’s Birthplace on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details. Text “NYEPHL” to 888-777 to receive free alerts from the Office of Emergency Management. 

The Event 

New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks 

Doors open at 6 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway 

Concert begins at 8 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway 

Fireworks begin at Midnight | Benjamin Franklin Parkway 

The New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks will kick of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. This free concert and fireworks display showcases the incredible spirit of our community and the cultural and features performances by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J with special guest Emmy Award winning music director and Grammy Award winning writer, and Trenton, NJ native, Adam Blackstone. 

The New Year’s Eve Concert will be followed by a large, public firework display over the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway beginning at Midnight. 

How to Enter the Parkway Events 

The New Year’s Eve Concert & Fireworks is open to the public and free to attend.   

Gates for the concert open at 6 p.m. Guests will be directed to enter the event venue at the secured entry point at the following location:  

  • Binswanger Triangle (2300 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) 
  • Pennsylvania Avenue and Spring Garden Street

All guests must go through a security check upon entering, including magnetometers and bag checks. 

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid any traffic delays or heavy pedestrian traffic. The Parkway is general admission and occupied on a first-come-first-served basis. 

A map of the Oval is available for download.

 

What to Expect 

Venue Rules and Safety Information 

The vicinity of the New Year’s Eve Concert & Fireworks (a boundary from at least 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Art Museum, and adjacent areas), will be secured and protected for a safe and fun celebration. Throughout the evening, the City will provide enhanced law enforcement and emergency medical services and is coordinating with local, state and federal public safety authorities to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebration. 

For the safety of event attendees and participants, unauthorized sUAS/drone usage is prohibited over crowds by the FAA. If you see a drone at an event, please report it to the nearest police officer with a location and description of the operator. 

 

Plan Ahead 

Know where to find law enforcement and medical help along the Parkway.  

The Philadelphia Fire Department’s EMS Division will have a medic team on the  Parkway at the following location:  

  • 2300 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Northside) 

Call 9-1-1 if you are having a medical emergency or see someone who may be in need of medical attention. 

Have important phone numbers memorized.  

If you see something – say something! 

These safety tips and more can be found in the Special Events Safety Guide. 

 

Weather preparation 

With the potential for cold temperatures, attendees should follow all proper precautions to keep themselves and their families safe and warm. Your age, your health, your eating and drinking habits, and your clothing all contribute to how warm or cold you feel. All event-goers should follow the below tips for staying warm when you’re outside. 

  • Dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Wear hats, scarves, and water-repellent coats. Wear mittens instead of gloves; they’ll keep your hands warmer.  
  • Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth with a scarf or protective face mask. 
  • Wind Chill makes you get colder faster, as the wind carries away heat from the body. Make sure small children stay warm – especially babies. Babies will get colder much faster than adults will. 

For more tips on how to stay warm, visit the City’s winter weather preparedness guide. 

 

Accessibility 

The New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks is an accessible event and is dedicated to ensuring access to people of all abilities. Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a wheelchair-accessible roadway that features flat surfaces and curb cutouts. 

Portable toilets, including ADA-compliant units, will be available throughout the Parkway. 

There will be additional screens at the event to for people to see the stage. 

 

Items NOT allowed inside the festival footprint 

For the safety of event attendees and staff, the following items are prohibited: 

  • Weapons and contraband of any kind regardless of permitting, e.g. Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored, and entry will be denied. 
  • Fireworks, firecrackers, or explosives (including sparklers) 
  • Open flame of any kind 
  • Illegal or illicit substances of any kind (does not pertain to individual prescribed medication) 
  • Alcohol 
  • Flyers, handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation allowed) 
  • Facial costume masks of any kind (except religious headwear). 
  • Unauthorized commerce 
  • Items that would obstruct others’ view (large signs, banners, etc.) 
  • Drones and any other unmanned and remote-controlled devices 
  • ATVS, dirt bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, segways, hoverboards, and similar items (cannot be brought into the event space) 
  • Glass Containers 
  • Laser pointers 
  • Selfie Sticks 
  • Animals or reptiles (Exception: ADA defined service animals)   
  • Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate by production or security management 

Please note: all persons and/or their belongings are subject to search as a condition of entry into the New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks.  

When in doubt, leave it home!  

Keep possessions and bags with you always and do not leave them unattended. 

 

Lost children 

Parents or guardians should report a missing child to the nearest law enforcement officer, medic, or private security representative. 

Public safety officials will coordinate the search for missing children with the full support of the Philadelphia Police Department. 

Be sure to take a photo of your child before arriving at the Welcome America events. If separated, this will be very helpful for those searching for your child. It’s also recommended to have children memorize their parent’s cell phone numbers. 

 

Event cleanup  

Following the conclusion of the New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks, post-event clean-up operations will begin. If you need to report any excess trash in the area, post-event, residents can call 3-1-1 or 215-686-8686. 

 

Getting to the Parkway events 

Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city. 

Regional rail service, the Market Frankford Line, and the Broad Street Line will operate on a Sunday schedule with additional cars added to increase rider capacity at the break of the event. Check the Regional Rail schedule and the SEPTA website for more details. 

 

SEPTA travel tips: 

  • The Ben Franklin Parkway is best accessed from the 15th Street Market-Frankford Line Station and Race-Vine or City Hall Broad Street Line Station 
  • Download the SEPTA App for iPhone and Android devices. Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store and look for the official SEPTA App. 

Check SEPTA’s website, Septa.org, for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules on January 31, visit NJTransit.com. 

 

Ride Share 

Taxi, Uber and Lyft are another recommended travel options to get to and from the event.  Attendees can utilize ride share options north of Pennsylvania Avenue near Spring Garden Street or east of Benjamin Franklin Parkway near 20th Street.  

 

Cyclists and Pedestrians 

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is easily accessible via cycling and walking. Keep in mind that if a road is closed to vehicular traffic, it is also closed to cycling. Walking paths will remain open for pedestrians as conditions allow; however, please follow all posted signs, detours and traffic control devices. 

  • The Kelly Drive bike path (river side) between Eakins Oval and Sedgley Drive will be closed to cyclists and pedestrians beginning at 5 p.m. until the conclusion of the fireworks for safety concerns. 

RideIndego is an accessible and affordable way to get to and from the New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks with stations conveniently located along the Parkway. Download the official Indego App to check real-time bike and dock availability at any station. Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store and look for the official Indego App.